Bill to Watch: SB 3544 – A bill to assist older Americans and people with disabilities affected by COVID-19. Introduced March 19 and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Webinar: Child and Family Health and COVID-19 – Hosted by the Georgetown University Center for Families and Children on Tuesday, April 7 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. It will provide an overview of how the latest federal legislation affects Medicaid and CHIP financing and operations, as well as policy options state officials can consider to ensure coverage for children and families.

A Fact Sheet from the National Health Law Program discusses options that states have under Medicaid to improve access to services for people with disabilities living at home during the COVID-19 crisis. Possibilities include lifting budget and service limitations, adding services, changing provider qualifications, raising provider rates, and more.

Both the federal government (PDF) and the State of California (PDF) have issued reminders that individuals with disabilities must not be denied care during medical emergencies based on the presence of a disability.Related Call Friday, April 3:Disability Rights and Medical Rationing, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time, sponsored by the American Association of People with Disabilities. Speakers, including a professor of pediatrics, will address the rights of individuals with disabilities in the health care setting and the legal obligations of providers to administer needed care to people with disabilities under federal law.

Children with Medical Complexity

Webinar: Helping Students Learn to Work Collaboratively on Complex Needs

Wednesday, April 8
11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Pacific Time
National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs
Details: Applications are open for the Interprofessional Student Hotspotting Learning Collaborative, which trains interdisciplinary teams of students to work collaboratively on complex medical and social needs, using a patient-centered approach. This webinar will provide a program overview. The application deadline is May 1. Read more.

California Children’s Services

Wednesday, April 15
10 a.m. – TBD
Group will not meet in person.
(888) 989-6488; Passcode: 1945234
Details: Details may be posted on the group’s website.

Social Determinants of Health

New: Identification and Screening of Social Determinants of Health among CSHCN in Medicaid

This fact sheet highlights how state Medicaid agencies are working to incorporate social determinants of health screenings into their programs to improve health outcomes for CSHCN. The fact sheet, developed by the National Resource Center for Patient/Family-Centered Medical Home in partnership with the National Academy for State Health Policy, notes opportunities for collaboration and partnership among Medicaid, Title V Maternal and Child Health/CSHCN programs, and pediatricians. Read more (PDF).

National Policy

Why the Census Matters to CSHCN

The 2020 Census is under way, and work will proceed despite COVID-19. Responses are being accepted online, by phone, or by mail. The Census determines how much federal money flows into states for public programs, such as Medicaid, education, hospitals, and many others that serve individuals with special needs and their families. The Census also determines how many members a state will have in the House of Representatives. Read more from AMCHP about how the Census works and why it matters for CSHCN in English (PDF) and Español (PDF).

In Brief

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a ban on electrical stimulation devices for self-injurious or aggressive behavior, effective April 6. Read more.

Events

Developmental Disabilities Conference Postponed

The 2020 Developmental Disabilities Public Policy Conference, scheduled for April 27-28 in Sacramento, has been postponed, and a new date has not been set. The conference is sponsored by The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy of California Collaboration. Read more.

School-Based Health Conference Delayed

A Shared Vision for Healthy Students, the 2020 California School-Based Health Conference currently scheduled for May 14-15, is postponed, possibly until the fall. Read more.